California is known across the country as a leader in the transition to clean, sustainable energy. As a part of this transition, the California legislature has passed a number of reforms aimed at reducing carbon emissions and improving the air quality of the state. One of these new laws is aimed at how people heat their homes and businesses. Specifically, the new electric furnace mandate will phase out old, gas-powered HVAC systems and replace them with high-efficiency electric options.
What does this mean for homeowners and business owners in the North Bay area? Well, your initial feeling may be panic if you have a gas-powered heating system, but there’s no need to feel overwhelmed just yet. Here at Valley Comfort Heating and Air, we can help you understand what the mandate means, how it will impact you, and what your options are for staying compliant with this law.
What is California’s Electric Appliance Mandate?
Why does the California electric appliance mandate exist? It was backed by the California Air Resources Board and several other regional air quality organizations. The goal of this mandate is to move California towards a true carbo-neutral economy that improves the air quality for everyone in the state.
The mandate that was eventually put in place will ban the sale of new gas furnaces and water heaters by 2030. This means all new homes built after 2030 will have to have electric HVAC systems and water heaters. The ban is designed to eliminate the nitrogen oxide emissions and greenhouse gases that gas-based HVAC systems produce.
While the 2030 deadline stopped the sale of gas systems, a number of local jurisdictions and building codes already require electric appliances for new construction and major remodels.
How Does This Impact Sonoma, Napa, and Marin County Residents?
If you live in the North Day, you may already by impacted by this mandate. That’s because a number of cities in Sonoma, Napa, and Marin Counties have already adopted building codes that exceed the state minimums. New construction may already require electric finance installation in Sonoma and the surrounding counties.
If you own an older home in Santa Rosa or have any commercial property in Napa, you need to keep two things in mind. First, if your gas heater fails, you’ll likely need to do a gas to electric furnace conversion in order to remain up to code. Second, if you have an older property, you may need to upgrade your electrical panel when you install your electric furnace. That’s because these appliances pull a good amount of power, and older homes may not have the electrical infrastructure to handle it. It’s essential that anyone building or remodeling their home understands these local compliance requirements. Otherwise, you will likely fail your home inspection, leading to delays in your construction project and potential fines.
Electric Furnaces: Benefits, Challenges, and What to Expect
What can you expect from this movement towards energy-efficient heating in Sonoma County? There are some pros and cons to be aware of.
The Pros:
Efficiency – Today’s electric heat pumps are three or four times more efficient than traditional gas furnaces.
Air quality – Since they do not use gas combustion, electric furnaces do not produce as many pollutants, and there’s no risk of a carbon monoxide leak.
Lower emissions – By replacing your gas furnace with an electric one, you significantly reduce your carbon footprint. This is especially true if you power your electric heat pump with solar panels.
The Cons:
The cost – There is a fairly high upfront cost for installing an electric furnace in Sonoma County.
Home modifications –Your home’s ductwork and electrical circuits were designed for gas heating, which means they may need to be modified to work with an electric heat pump.
While the cost to install your electric furnace and make any necessary modifications to your home may be higher than you would like, the end result is an efficient HVAC system that provides consistent warmth throughout the winter.
Rebates, Incentives, and Financing Options
Fortunately, California state leaders do recognize that transitioning from gas furnaces to electric is an investment that comes with a cost. To help homeowners and business owners in Sonoma County with this cost, the have created a number of different rebates that are available through programs such as TECH Clean California. Homeowners can also take advantage of federal tax credits that were put in place by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). There are also some incentives available from local electric utility providers.
We can help you navigate these various rebate options. We’ll work with you to determine which ones you’re eligible for and what you need to do to apply. In the end, you may find that upgrading to an electric heat pump doesn’t cost you anywhere near what you thought it would.
Why Choose Valley Comfort for Your Electric Furnace Upgrade?
If you’re preparing to install a new electric furnace in California and want to make certain you’re fully compliant with the new regulations, you want to work with a company that has proven experience. Valley Comfort Heating and Air has served the North Bay area for years. We have stayed up to date with green technology and federal, state, and local building codes and requirements. We’re more than installers—we’re experts with a deep understanding of what homeowners need in Sonoma, Napa, and Marin counties. We’re ready to put our experience and knowledge to work for you so you can transition from gas to electric with no stress.
Ready to Go Electric?
The California electric furnace mandate isn’t just a suggestion or something you can ignore if you’re building a new home or doing a major remodel on an existing one. If you aren’t compliant, you will face inspection failures and delays. However, the mandate isn’t there to make your life harder; it’s there to create a more efficient, sustainable way of living.
If you get ahead of this mandate and understand what you have to do to follow it, there’s very little stress involved. When you work with an expert like the team at Valley Comfort Heating and Air, there’s very little to worry about. We can assist you in being compliant and in finding the rebates you need to keep your costs down. Reach out today to learn more.